The pastel orange Cantaloupe

The cantaloupe is a familiar fruit to most of us, though we might not be all too familiar with the different varieties that are available. Related to melons, muskmelons, honeydews, and Asian melons, cantaloupe most likely originated in a region from South Asia to Africa and found its way into English literature as early as 1739.

The two varieties called cantaloupe are Cucumis melo var. reticulus (the variety mainly used in the United States), and Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis (the variety mainly grown in Europe and Asia).

Charentais Melon is a European cantaloupe.

Figuring out what is a cantaloupe and what is not is confusing. All cantaloupes are musk melons, but not all musk melons are cantaloupes. And the category of "musk melon" contains a whole lot of other melons, including honeydews and Armenian cucumbers. And many of these very different strains of melons can look and taste very similar, others are dramatically different.

The cantaloupe familiar to most Americans.

Plant from seed after threat of frost, or protect young seedlings if frost is still a threat. Grow in full to part sun and think about giving plants something to vine on. Despite the fruits being somewhat heavy, healthy vines will support the large fruits with no problem. Amended garden soil is best, with regular feeding of organic fertilizer. Cantaloupe should feel heavier than it looks and smell musky and sweet when it is ripe. Also you should be able to press your thumb in slightly on the bottom and there shouldn't be a lip around the stem.

The Tuscany Melon is actually a cantaloupe.